Despite Violations, Saudi Arabia Is Elected For Women’s Rights Commission

The United Nation’s Economic and Social Council elected Saudi Arabia for the Women’s Rights Commission. The four-year term will start in 2018 and end in 2022.

According to the UN Watch their executive director, said of the decision,

“This is a black day for women’s rights, and for all human rights. Saudi discrimination against women is gross and systematic in law and in practice. Every Saudi woman must have a male guardian who makes all critical decisions on her behalf, controlling a woman’s life from her birth until death. Saudi Arabia bans women from driving cars. Why did the U.N. choose the world’s leading promoter of gender inequality to sit on its gender equality commission?”

Widely noted for its mistreatment of women in all classifications, Saudi Arabia is best known for its sexist laws, which include denying women the right to drive or walk without an accompanying male guardian.

In March, Saudi Arabia launched their first “Girls Council,” as an attempted act at promoting gender equality- without any girls.

Neuer continued to criticize the move,

“In the Qassim region, we look at women as sisters to men, and we feel a responsibility to open up more and more opportunities that will serve the work of women and girls,” Prince Faisal bin Mishaal bin Saud jovially expressed at the seemingly progressive development. Electing Saudi Arabia to protect women’s rights is like making an arsonist into the town fire chief. It’s absurd.”

The response on twitter showed equal disappointment in the UN’s decision.

The nation has been elected under the terms that it will be, “promoting women’s rights, documenting the reality of women’s lives throughout the world, and shaping global standards on gender equality and the empowerment of women.”

Insane! Saudi Arabia is elected chieftain over women's rights by U.N? A country where women aren't allowed to drive? https://t.co/mZZHfQvXGa